Sermons, Bible Studies, Lutheran theology and Lectures from Pastor Brandon Warr of St. Patrick Lutheran Church in Chipley, FL. If you are close to the Chipley or Panama City area, visit our Facebook page for times and services!
Join St. Patrick Lutheran Church in Chipley, FL, for our Bible class series on the Book of Leviticus. In this episode, we study Leviticus chapters 1 and 2, focusing on the burnt offerings and grain offerings commanded by God for Israel. These opening chapters of Leviticus lay the foundation for understanding the sacrificial system, pointing us directly to the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross.
Together, we will explore how these offerings reveal God’s holiness, His desire for atonement, and His provision of life through substitution. From the altar of burnt offering to the symbolism of unleavened bread, this study highlights how Old Testament worship foreshadows the Gospel.
This Confessional Lutheran Bible study offers verse-by-verse teaching, clear application, and Christ-centered insights. Whether you are new to the Old Testament or looking to deepen your understanding of Scripture, this class will strengthen your faith and equip you to see Christ in Leviticus.
Welcome to St. Patrick Lutheran Church in Chipley, FL, as we begin a new Bible class series on the Book of Leviticus. Often overlooked, Leviticus is central to understanding God’s holiness, the sacrificial system, and how Christ fulfills the Law for us. In this introduction, we’ll explore why Leviticus matters for Christians today, how it points us to Jesus, and what it teaches about worship, atonement, and life set apart for God.
This Bible study will provide verse-by-verse teaching from a Confessional Lutheran perspective, connecting the Old Testament to the Gospel of Christ with clarity and depth. Whether you’re a lifelong student of Scripture or just beginning to explore God’s Word, this series will help you see how Leviticus reveals God’s plan of redemption.
Join us weekly for in-depth teaching, thoughtful discussion, and practical application. Subscribe to stay connected and grow with us in God’s Word!
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What does a dishonest steward have to teach us about the Christian life? In this Trinity 9 sermon, Rev. Brandon Warr unpacks Luke 16:1–9 alongside 1 Corinthians 10:6–13 to reveal Christ’s call to faithful stewardship. Discover why Jesus commended the steward’s shrewdness—not his sin—and how we are called to use every gift, resource, and moment for eternal purposes. Learn from Israel’s failures in the wilderness, hear the piercing truth of God’s Law, and rest in the Gospel promise that Christ, the faithful Servant, has settled your account in full.
If you’ve ever wondered how to balance faith, resources, and the reality of coming judgment, this sermon offers both the warning and the comfort you need.
Trinity 9 sermon, Luke 16:1-9 sermon, parable of the unjust steward, 1 Corinthians 10 sermon, faithful stewardship, Lutheran sermon, Law and Gospel, Rev. Brandon Warr, Christian stewardship, eternal life, ELDoNA preaching
This is a bible class taught at St. Patrick Lutheran Church in Chipley, Florida by Pastor Brandon Warr at St. Patrick Lutheran Church of Chipley, Florida (Affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of North America)
Text: Various
stpatricklutheran.org
ELDoNA.org
This is a bible class taught at St. Patrick Lutheran Church in Chipley, Florida by Pastor Brandon Warr at St. Patrick Lutheran Church of Chipley, Florida (Affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of North America)
Text: Acts 15:1-29
stpatricklutheran.org
ELDoNA.org
This is a bible class taught at St. Patrick Lutheran Church in Chipley, Florida by Pastor Brandon Warr at St. Patrick Lutheran Church of Chipley, Florida (Affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of North America)
The Texts cited are Various
stpatricklutheran.org
ELDoNA.org
This is a bible class taught at St. Patrick Lutheran Church in Chipley, Florida by Pastor Brandon Warr at St. Patrick Lutheran Church of Chipley, Florida (Affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of North America)
The Texts cited are Various
stpatricklutheran.org
ELDoNA.org
This is a bible class taught at St. Patrick Lutheran Church in Chipley, Florida by Pastor Brandon Warr at St. Patrick Lutheran Church of Chipley, Florida (Affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of North America)
The Texts cited are Various
stpatricklutheran.org
ELDoNA.org
This is a bible class taught at St. Patrick Lutherna Church in Chipley, Florida by Pastor Brandon Warr at St. Patrick Lutheran Church of Chipley, Florida (Affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of North America)
The Texts cited are Exodus 3:1-16 and Deuteronomy 28:27
stpatricklutheran.org
ELDoNA.org
The most basic and shocking crash course on Apologetics ever heard. Pastor Brandon Warr works at warp speed to discuss how we know that the Bible is true and how we know that we have exactly what God wants us to have in the text of the New Testament.
This is a bible class taught at St. Patrick Lutherna Church in Chipley, Florida by Pastor Brandon Warr at St. Patrick Lutheran Church of Chipley, Florida (Affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of North America)
The Texts cited are 2nd Peter 1:16-21 and 1st Peter 3:15
stpatricklutheran.org
ELDoNA.org
Sermon for the Festival of the Epiphany of Our Lord, January 6th 2025
Preached by Pastor Brandon Warr at St. Patrick Lutheran Church of Chipley, Florida (Affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of North America)
The Text for this Sermon is the Gospel reading of Matthew 2:1-12
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Preached by Pastor Brandon Warr at St. Patrick Lutheran Church of Chipley, Florida (Affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of North America)
The Text for this Sermon is the Gospel reading of Luke 2:21
Other Scriptures referenced include Galatians 3:23-29
stpatricklutheran.org
ELDoNA.org
The Sermon for Oculi, the Third Sunday in Lent, March 3rd, 2024 AD
Preached by Pastor Brandon Warr at St. Patrick Lutheran Church of Chipley, Florida (Affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of North America)
The Text for this Sermon is the Gospel reading of Luke 11:14-28
Other Scriptures referenced include 2 Samuel 22:1-7 and Ephesians 5:1-9
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ELDoNA.org
The Sermon for the Fifth Sunday after the Feast of the Holy Trinity, June 16th, 2023
Preached by Pastor Brandon Warr at St. Patrick Lutheran Church of Chipley, Florida (Affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of North America)
The Text for this Sermon is the Gospel reading of Matthew 5:20-26
Other Scriptures referenced include Exodus 20:1-17 and Romans 6:3-11
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ELDoNA.org
The Sermon for the Fifth Sunday after the Feast of the Holy Trinity, June 9th, 2023
Preached by Pastor Brandon Warr at St. Patrick Lutheran Church of Chipley, Florida (Affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of North America)
The Text for this Sermon is the Gospel reading of Luke 5:1-11
Other Scriptures referenced include Jeremiah 16:14-21 and 1st Peter 3:8-15
stpatricklutheran.org
ELDoNA.org
For Epiphany Season and Gesimatide, Pastor Brandon Warr takes us through a study of the Lutheran Liturgy also known as the Common Service or Divine Service, exploring the biblical and ancient roots of Lutheran practice.
In this episode, we conclude by discussing the distribution of Holy Communion and the conclusion of the Service.
For Epiphany Season and Gesimatide, Pastor Brandon Warr takes us through a study of the Lutheran Liturgy also known as the Common Service or Divine Service, exploring the biblical and ancient roots of Lutheran practice.
In this episode, we continue our discussion of the Service of the Sacrament and begin discussing the consecration of the Lord's Supper.
For Epiphany Season and Gesimatide, Pastor Brandon Warr takes us through a study of the Lutheran Liturgy also known as the Common Service or Divine Service, exploring the biblical and ancient roots of Lutheran practice.
In this episode, we continue our discussion of the General Prayer as well as discussing the Exhortation and the beginning of the Service of the Sacrament with the Preface.
For Epiphany Season and Gesimatide, Pastor Brandon Warr takes us through a study of the Lutheran Liturgy also known as the Common Service or Divine Service, exploring the biblical and ancient roots of Lutheran practice.
In this episode, we continue our discussion of the Creed as well as discuss the Sermon, the Offertory, and begin a discussion on the General Prayer.
For Epiphany Season and Gesimatide, Pastor Brandon Warr takes us through a study of the Lutheran Liturgy also known as the Common Service or Divine Service, exploring the biblical and ancient roots of Lutheran practice.
In this episode, we continue our discussion of the Collect as well as an in-depth discussion on the Lectionary and the beginning of the discussion on the Creed.
For Epiphany Season and Gesimatide, Pastor Brandon Warr takes us through a study of the Lutheran Liturgy also known as the Common Service or Divine Service, exploring the biblical and ancient roots of Lutheran practice.
In this episode, we continue the explanation of the beginning of the service at the Introit as well as moving through the Liturgy in the Kyrie, Gloria in Excelsis, and the Salutation.
For Epiphany Season and Gesimatide, Pastor Brandon Warr takes us through a study of the Lutheran Liturgy also known as the Common Service or Divine Service, exploring the biblical and ancient roots of Lutheran practice.
In this episode, we look at the preparatory rite of the Confession of Sins as well as briefly discussing the beginning of the service at the Introit.
This is part Six of our Series discussing the Catalog of Testimonies in the Book of Concord. We are discussing Parts 10 and The Conclusion of the Catalog.
For Advent and Christmas Season Bible Classes, Rev. Brandon Warr will be going through the Catalog of Testimonies in the Book of Concord in order to explain what Lutherans believe about the Incarnation of Christ, The Two Nature's of Christ, and how Jesus can offer His true body and blood in the Lord's Supper.
This is part five of our Series discussing the Catalog of Testimonies in the Book of Concord. We are discussing Parts 8 and 9 in the Catalog.
For Advent and Christmas Season Bible Classes, Rev. Brandon Warr will be going through the Catalog of Testimonies in the Book of Concord in order to explain what Lutherans believe about the Incarnation of Christ, The Two Nature's of Christ, and how Jesus can offer His true body and blood in the Lord's Supper.
This is part four of our Series discussing the Catalog of Testimonies in the Book of Concord. We are discussing Parts 6 and 7 in the Catalog.
For Advent and Christmas Season Bible Classes, Rev. Brandon Warr will be going through the Catalog of Testimonies in the Book of Concord in order to explain what Lutherans believe about the Incarnation of Christ, The Two Nature's of Christ, and how Jesus can offer His true body and blood in the Lord's Supper.
This is part three of our Series discussing the Catalog of Testimonies in the Book of Concord. We are discussing Parts 4 and 5 in the Catalog.
For Advent and Christmas Season Bible Classes, Rev. Brandon Warr will be going through the Catalog of Testimonies in the Book of Concord in order to explain what Lutherans believe about the Incarnation of Christ, The Two Nature's of Christ, and how Jesus can offer His true body and blood in the Lord's Supper.
This is part two of our Series discussing the Catalog of Testimonies in the Book of Concord. We are discussing Parts 2 and 3 in the Catalog.
For Advent and Christmas Season Bible Classes, Rev. Brandon Warr will be going through the Catalog of Testimonies in the Book of Concord in order to explain what Lutherans believe about the Incarnation of Christ, The Two Nature's of Christ, and how Jesus can offer His true body and blood in the Lord's Supper.
For Advent and Christmas Season Bible Classes, Rev. Brandon Warr will be going through the Catalog of Testimonies in the Book of Concord in order to explain what Lutherans believe about the Incarnation of Christ, The Two Nature's of Christ, and how Jesus can offer His true body and blood in the Lord's Supper.
The Third Sunday in Advent
Gaudete
Gospel Text: Matthew 11:2-10
John the Baptizer Prepares the Way
December 13 2020
Sermon delivered by Rev. Brandon C. Warr
St. Patrick Lutheran Church
Chipley, FL
The Second Sunday in Advent
Populus Zion
Gospel Text: Luke 21:25-36
The Second Coming of the Son of Man
December 6 2020
Sermon delivered by Rev. Brandon C. Warr
St. Patrick Lutheran Church
Chipley, FL
The First Sunday in Advent
Ad Te Levavi
Gospel Text: Matthew 21:1-9
The Triumphal Entry
November 29 2020
Sermon delivered by Rev. Brandon C. Warr
St. Patrick Lutheran Church
Chipley, FL
The Last Sunday of the Church Year
Gospel Text: Matthew 25:1-13
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
November 22 2020
Sermon delivered by Rev. Brandon C. Warr
St. Patrick Lutheran Church
Chipley, FL
The Second to Last Sunday after the Feast of the Holy Trinity
Gospel Text: Matthew 25:31-46
The Separation of the Sheep and the Goats
November 15 2020
Sermon delivered by Rev. Brandon C. Warr
St. Patrick Lutheran Church
Chipley, FL
The Third to Last Sunday after the Feast of the Holy Trinity
Gospel Text: Matthew 24:15-28
The Destruction of the Temple
November 8 2020
Sermon delivered by Rev. Brandon C. Warr
St. Patrick Lutheran Church
Chipley, FL
The Feast of All Saints
Gospel Text: Matthew 5:1-12
The Beatitudes
November 1 2020
Sermon delivered by Rev. Brandon C. Warr
St. Patrick Lutheran Church
Chipley, FL
The Feast of the Reformation (Transfered)
Gospel Text: Matthew 11:12-15
The Kingdom of Heaven Advances
October 25 2020
Sermon delivered by Rev. Brandon C. Warr
St. Patrick Lutheran Church
Chipley, FL
The Nineteenth Sunday after the Feast of the Holy Trinity
Gospel Text: Matthew 9:1-8
Jesus Heal the Paralytic
October 18 2020
Sermon delivered by Rev. Brandon C. Warr
St. Patrick Lutheran Church
Chipley, FL
The Eighteenth Sunday after the Feast of the Holy Trinity
Gospel Text: Matthew 22:34-46
Jesus Teaches the Great Commandment
October 11 2020
Sermon delivered by Rev. Brandon C. Warr
St. Patrick Lutheran Church
Chipley, FL
The Seventeenth Sunday after the Feast of the Holy Trinity
Gospel Text: Luke 14:1-11
Jesus Heals a Man with Dropsy
October 4 2020
Sermon delivered by Rev. Brandon C. Warr
St. Patrick Lutheran Church
Chipley, FL
The Sixteenth Sunday after the Feast of the Holy Trinity
Gospel Text: Luke 7:11-17
Jesus Raises the Widow's Son
September 27 2020
Sermon delivered by Rev. Brandon C. Warr
St. Patrick Lutheran Church
Chipley, FL
The Fifteenth Sunday after the Feast of the Holy Trinity
Gospel Text: Matthew 6:24-34
Do Not be Anxious
September 20 2020
Sermon delivered by Rev. Brandon C. Warr
St. Patrick Lutheran Church
Chipley, FL
The Fourteenth Sunday after the Feast of the Holy Trinity
Gospel Text: Luke 17:11-19
The Cleansing of Ten Lepers
September 13 2020
Sermon delivered by Rev. Brandon C. Warr
St. Patrick Lutheran Church
Chipley, FL
The Thirteenth Sunday after the Feast of the Holy Trinity
Gospel Text: Luke 10:23-37
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
September 6 2020
Sermon delivered by Rev. Brandon C. Warr
St. Patrick Lutheran Church
Chipley, FL
The Twelfth Sunday after the Feast of the Holy Trinity
Gospel Text: Mark 7:31-37
Jesus Heals the Deaf and Mute Man
August 30 2020
Sermon delivered by Rev. Brandon C. Warr
St. Patrick Lutheran Church
Chipley, FL
The Eleventh Sunday after the Feast of the Holy Trinity
Gospel Text: Luke 18:9-14
The Parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector
August 23 2020
Sermon delivered by Rev. Brandon C. Warr
St. Patrick Lutheran Church
Chipley, FL
The Tenth Sunday after the Feast of the Holy Trinity
Gospel Text: Luke 19:41-48
The Cleansing of the Temple
August 16 2020
Sermon delivered by Rev. Brandon C. Warr
St. Patrick Lutheran Church
Chipley, FL
The Ninth Sunday after the Feast of the Holy Trinity
Gospel Text: Luke 16:1-9
The Parable of the Unjust Steward
August 9 2020
Sermon delivered by Rev. Brandon C. Warr
St. Patrick Lutheran Church
Chipley, FL
The Eighth Sunday after the Feast of the Holy Trinity
Gospel Text: Matthew 7:15-23
The Warning against False Prophets
August 2 2020
Sermon delivered by Rev. Brandon C. Warr
St. Patrick Lutheran Church
Chipley, FL
The Seventh Sunday after the Feast of the Holy Trinity
Gospel Text: Mark 8:1-9
The Feeding of the Four Thousand
July 26 2020
Sermon delivered by Rev. Brandon C. Warr
St. Patrick Lutheran Church
Chipley, FL
The Sixth Sunday after the Feast of the Holy Trinity
Gospel Text: Matthew 5:20-26
Jesus explains the Law
July 19 2020
Sermon delivered by Rev. Brandon C. Warr
St. Patrick Lutheran Church
Chipley, FL
The Fifth Sunday after the Feast of the Holy Trinity
Gospel Text: Luke 5:1-11
The Miracle of the Great Catch of Fish
July 12 2020
Sermon delivered by Rev. Brandon C. Warr
St. Patrick Lutheran Church
Chipley, FL
The Fourth Sunday after the Feast of the Holy Trinity
Gospel Text: Luke 6:36-42
The Parable of the Blind leading the Blind
July 5 2020
Sermon delivered by Rev. Brandon C. Warr
St. Patrick Lutheran Church
Chipley, FL
The Third Sunday after the Feast of the Holy Trinity
Gospel Text: Luke 15:1-10
The Parables of the Lost Sheep and Lost Coin
June 28 2020
Sermon delivered by Rev. Brandon C. Warr
St. Patrick Lutheran Church
Chipley, FL
The Second Sunday after the Feast of the Holy Trinity
Gospel Text: Luke 14:16–24
The Parable of the Great Supper
June 21 2020
Sermon delivered by Rev. Brandon C. Warr
St. Patrick Lutheran Church
Chipley, FL
The First Sunday after the Feast of the Holy Trinity
Gospel Text: Luke 16:19–31
The Rich Man and Lazarus
June 14 2020
Sermon delivered by Rev. Brandon C. Warr
St. Patrick Lutheran Church
Chipley, FL
The Feast of the Holy Trinity
Trinitas
June 7 2020
Sermon delivered by Rev. Brandon C. Warr
St. Patrick Lutheran Church
Chipley, FL
The Feast of Pentecost
Whitsunday
May 31 2020
Sermon delivered by Rev. Brandon C. Warr
St. Patrick Lutheran Church
Chipley, FL
The Sunday after the Ascension of Our Lord
Exaudi Sunday
May 24 2020
Sermon delivered by Rev. Brandon C. Warr
St. Patrick Lutheran Church
Chipley, FL
The Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord
May 21 2020
Sermon delivered by Rev. Brandon C. Warr
St. Patrick Lutheran Church
Chipley, FL
The Fifth Sunday after Easter
Rogate Sunday
May 17 2020
Sermon delivered by Rev. Brandon C. Warr
St. Patrick Lutheran Church
Chipley, FL
The Fourth Sunday after Easter
Cantate Sunday
May 10 2020
Sermon delivered by Rev. Brandon C. Warr
St. Patrick Lutheran Church
Chipley, FL
The Third Sunday after Easter
Jubilate Sunday
May 3 2020
Sermon delivered by Rev. Brandon C. Warr
St. Patrick Lutheran Church
Chipley, FL
The Second Sunday after Easter
Misericordia Domini Sunday
April 26 2020
Sermon delivered by Rev. Brandon C. Warr
St. Patrick Lutheran Church
Chipley, FL
The First Sunday after Easter
Quasimodogeniti Sunday
April 19 2020
Sermon delivered by Rev. Brandon C. Warr
St. Patrick Lutheran Church
Chipley, FL
The Feast of the Resurrection of Our Lord
Easter Sunday
April 12 2020
Sermon delivered by Rev. Brandon C. Warr
St. Patrick Lutheran Church
Chipley, FL
Good Friday Tenebrae Service, April 10 2020 [Full Service]
The Seven Last Words of Jesus Christ on the Cross
Delivered by Rev. Brandon C. Warr
St. Patrick Lutheran Church
Chipley, FL
Laetare, Fourth Sunday in Lent, March 22 2020
Sermon delivered by Rev. Brandon C. Warr
St. Patrick Lutheran Church
Chipley, FL
NOTE: Please forgive the audio quality on this one. We are still working out the kinks.
Grace Mercy and Peace be unto you from God our Father, Our Lord Jesus Christ and the comforter, the Holy Ghost. Amen.
As Epiphany Season continues, we see Jesus kindness and mercy revealed to us in our Gospel text this morning. Two examples of this are given to us and both show our desperate need for Christ as we are ourselves, like the ones in this text, beggars and
unworthy servants. This text also shows us the loving-kindness of our Lord and our God in healing our sin and iniquities and bringing us to everlasting life.
First, we start with the account of the Leper. We see first that great multitudes are following Jesus as He comes down from the Mountain, mirroring when Moses came down from the Mountain to Israel as Jesus is the True bringer of God’s light. And in the
midst of all of the multitudes, this poor and sick Leper yells out above the crowd in humble adoration and worship of Christ. And above the crowd, this Leper, as weak as he is saying “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” The Leper knew that Jesus had no obligation to heal him. This Leper is at the mercy of
the Will of the One he cries out to and, while to the world this seems like a cruel sentiment, it is actually of great comfort to those of us who believe.
We as believers know that Jesus is the only one who can make us whole and cleanse us from sin and unrighteousness. And, the overwhelming message of Scripture, is that Jesus is willing. This Leper is a picture of us in our sinful state. We are sick and poor and miserable. Suffering from the spiritual ailment that eats away
at our very soul. Our flesh is rotten and so we die day by day by day. We are not able to cleanse ourselves from sin. Even to the point that believers are still called
simultaneously Saint and Sinner. God’s Law condemns us when we honestly measure ourselves to such a standard.
Despite all of this, there are some who cannot even bear the thought that they have spiritual Leprosy. They look at the commandments and say “Those are a simple! After
all, I’ve never murdered anyone!” The perfect standard of righteousness is brushed under the rug for a vague spirituality that never sees God as judge and us as
condemned criminals.
Just as Naaman became angry when the Prophet Elisha told him to bathe in the Jordan to cure his Leprosy, so the world scoffs at the idea that their sins need to be forgiven and they cannot do anything to accomplish their own salvation. Naaman’s servant had
to shake some sense into him. They rightly pointed out to him that if he was told to do something that caused him to get the glory, he would have done it in a heartbeat. And yet when the Prophet of God tells him to do something which has no glory in it whatsoever…he scoffs.
Yet, the Lord is Faithful and His Word does not return void. Just as Naaman went to bathe and the Lord cured his Leprosy so we are brought to the bathing Water of Holy Baptism to have the Lord cleanse us from our Spiritual Leprosy. When the crowd of sin
becomes deafening in our lives, we plead for the Christ who is willing to save us to help us to remember those cleansing Waters where He gave Himself to us. He makes His Father, Our Father and gives us the Holy Spirit that we too may have the faith of this
poor miserable Leper.
This leper was abandoned by society and it was easy for the readers of this Gospel, both now and then, to see that this man is weak and sickly. Someone Christ would be willing to heal because of his lowly condition. Then our Gospel text switches to another individual: A Roman Centurion. In those days, Centurions had wealth, status and prestige in the Greco-Roman world. These guys
were not on the top-tier of society but they were pretty close. Leagues above a poor begging leper. If there was anyone that society would see as raised up, the very opposite of lowly, it would be this man.
This centurion comes with a request that Our Lord heal his servant. There is no expectation for Jesus to do this but instead this Centurion is just as humble as the lowly beggar. Despite the prestige and the wealth that his vocation brought, he has absolutely nothing to bring to the Creator in order to be worthy.
The Centurion’s status does not matter. He is on the same level as the Leper. So, instead of trusting in wealth or status or his own goodness, he asks the Lord to simply give His Word and the servant will be healed.
There is a great blasphemy that happens even among us. Those who claim to be lovers of God and of Christ Jesus then say in a sarcastic tone “Well, I’ll go wherever I must go when I die…if God sends me to hell or heaven…I’ll make my bed where it may lie!”
How blasphemous! This is no different than looking into the eyes of a caregiver or gracious parent and saying “I don’t believe you will take care of me! I believe, with all my being that you HATE me! And I hate you!” Imagine, giving your child your very life
and soul and all you have and for them to say “I don’t believe you love me!”
We must recognize the compassion of Our Lord and not trample under foot His love. This Centurion is so dependent on the Words of Christ that he doesn’t even entertain the idea of Jesus needing to come to his house. Only give the Word and my servant
shall be healed. If we truly believe the Word of Christ, then we have a God who desires not the death of the wicked but invites us to be forgiven.
He gives you this saving Word in Holy Absolution that you may know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that these words are put on you! Dear Children, believe your Brother’s Word
and be reconciled to the Father! No more of this “Oh, poor pitiful me, I wonder where I will end up!” Stop your blasphemous navel-gazing and look to Christ on the Cross. His care for you; His provision for you; His victory over sin, death and the devil for you! If you can’t trust this Word that Jesus Christ has given you then you have yourself as a fickle god and must return to the true God who is able and willing to save!
Jesus is more than willing to save from sin. He will not say no to those who cling to Him by faith. He gives you His own righteousness in Baptism and His true body and blood in the Holy Eucharist. If we believe as the Leper and the Centurion, then we know our God is a God of Love who is willing to give Himself to save us and forgive us of our sin. As the blessed saint, Dr. Luther, observed on his death bed “We are all beggars. This is most certainly true.” Thanks be to God that He is close to the brokenhearted and the weak. Blessed are those who are spiritually poor for they recognize their need for the Savior. Blessed are
they who Hunger for Righteousness for this Savior plans to feed you with His very own body and blood. May we never be ashamed of this Gospel for it is the power of God unto Salvation to all who believe.
And when we come to receive the blessed gifts the Lord will prepare for us, by faith, may we pray:
“Lord, I am unworthy that you would come into my house. Only say the Word and my soul will be healed!”
Amen.